Work Text:
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 23rd April – Time: 23:14
Message: Hi
Just a quick message, because it's been pretty hectic here so far, so I can imagine it's been even worse for you getting everything arranged and moving into the dorms.
Tell me all about how it went, and how you're settling in – I hope it's not been too stressful.
I'm keeping the weekend of your birthday open, but be honest if you think it'll be more of a bother to have me there, and I'll visit when you have more free time instead. I'd rather wait a while if it's better for you, so we can enjoy it, rather than you be stressed because you think you have to entertain me.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 13th May – Time: 22:32
Message: Birthday
I'm glad you still came – it really was good to have you here. It felt more special. And thanks for bringing the stuff from Mom with you, I know she was worried about it getting here in time, even though I told her not to mind. I honestly think she's probably half in love with you herself, with how you rode to her rescue.
I hope the guys on your team settle down. I know you probably didn't mean to say anything about it to me, and I know you also said it's nothing you haven't dealt with before – I bet every time you join a new team – but they're out of line. I know you're more than capable of shutting them up with your ability as a catcher when you get the chance, so I'm looking forward to hearing how their humble pie tastes. Skill will always win in the end. I know, I saw you play first hand when we were first years. You scared me to death.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 13th May – Time: 23:46
Message: Re:Birthday
I'm the least scary person I know!
And you've got bigger things to worry about than my college team drama. And in their defence it's been well over three years since I did anything worth noting on a baseball pitch. It was Coach Kataoka's recommendation that got me considered this time. I just need to prove I'm worth the risk to the Coaches, then things will settle down.
By the way, is it just your Mom who's half in love with me? Enquiring minds want to know.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 13th May – Time: 23:59
Message: Re:Birthday
I'm well within my rights to worry about what I want to worry about.
Go to sleep, Chris.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 14th May – Time: 00:00
Message: Re:Birthday
Coward.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 24th May – Time: 14:21
Message: Well done.
Congratulations again on making the first string. I know you didn't expect to be promoted to relief that quickly, but I had a feeling it wouldn't be long. Coach Kataoka seems like a savvy man, so he'd have made sure you got the best chance of showing up and shining for a team to get your journey to the pros kick-started. And thanks for calling to let me know; seriously. I know you're not a fan of making a fuss of yourself.
I want to hear it though. I just wish it wasn't so intense here right now, and I wasn't about as far away as it was possible to be in Japan, so I could come to your first game. Even if you only stay in the bullpen.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 14th July – Time: 20:49
Message: About August
I tried to call but you were engaged. No need to call back, it was just to let you know that either weekend is fine with me, so whatever suits your training schedule best.
It seems a long time since May – I'm looking forward to getting to see you again.
This is harder than I thought it would be. And I thought it would be pretty hard to begin with.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yu
Date: 14th July – Time: 21:34
Message: Re:About August
I just tried to call you back but must have missed you. I know you said I didn't need to, but it would have been nice to hear your voice.
Let's say the second weekend then.
It was Narumiya who I was on the phone to, if you were in any doubt. He's such a chatterbox when he gets something he wants to say in his head. At least I just have to listen, he talks himself around to whatever answer he wants in the end. Sometimes I wonder if he still calls a lot because he thinks no one else takes him as seriously. Which I pointed out was his own fault for behaving like he does, but apparently he didn't want to hear that.
I got an unreasonable expectation from sports anime and manga that once someone graduated from high school they were as good as dead to the kouhais, but Narumiya is single-handedly ruining the stereotype. Or maybe not single-handedly – I know you have your own gaggle of underclassmen who like to keep in touch.
It's tough. When we were both in Tokyo it was much easier.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 15th July – Time: 01:12
Message: Re:About August
Sorry I kept you up so late, but after you said it, I realised I just wanted to hear your voice too.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 1st August – Time: 17:27
Message: Visit
It was so good to see you in person again after what seems like forever. I know you don't get much free time, so I'm grateful you spent some of it with me.
If you can cope with seeing me some more I'll be in Sapporo the second to last week of August before the college league starts again – don't worry about entertaining me all week as I'm visiting with the intent of spending some of it with my grandparents, but if it's OK and I can get a little of your time too, then I'll be happy…
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 29th August – Time: 20:52
Message: Try and Stop Me!
Of course I'm going to be there for your first-squad game. I couldn't be more proud. I know you said it's not the roster so I wasn't allowed to get too excited, but I'm going to. You can't stop me.
If you play well I might even take you out for a steak afterwards. Diet allowing, of course.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 29th August – Time: 21:04
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
For steak I might let you get away with it. Seriously though, don't you have practice?
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 29th August – Time: 21:17
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
No. It's fine.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 29th August – Time: 21:31
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
Liar.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 30th August – Time: 18:20
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
Not only practice, but now a starting catcher role going into the upcoming league season. Chris, you need to focus up on your own baseball.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 30th August – Time: 18:55
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
I'm so focussed you wouldn't believe it, I can assure you. I'm still coming though. Thanks, by the way…
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 30th August – Time: 19:12
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
Sorry, you're right. Congratulations on making starting catcher.
I know how hard you've worked to get back to where you are today. I should have realised you wouldn't jeopardise that, so if you think coming to see me is manageable for you, then it is.
I am happy for you. Worried about you spreading yourself too thin. But happy.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 30th August – Time: 19:23
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
That wasn't so hard, was it?
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 30th August – Time: 19:42
Message: Re:Try and Stop Me!
Shirakawa always said you could be a smartass when you wanted to be, but I didn't believe him. More fool me…
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 29th September – Time: 22:43
Message: Birthday
I'm really sorry we both have big games around your birthday and can't do anything to celebrate in person. I know our schedules wouldn't sync no matter how we tried to juggle it, and I know it's just the time of year, but I wish we'd been able to manage it.
Let me make a fuss of you in the off season instead, to salve my conscience.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 29th September – Time: 23:14
Message: Re:Birthday
I think while ever we play ball and are based in different areas of the country, my birthday, and probably yours too, are going to be awkward to time going forward. We'll have to make a new anniversary up and make sure we make a big fuss in the off season in future. A birthday median, if you will. And really, I'd rather us both do well in our spots and have to make other plans. We've both worked hard for these chances, after all.
I'm prepared to submit to being made a fuss of for the sake of your conscience.
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 16th October – Time: 21:29
Message: Final Game
I'll be on a mid-morning train so I'll probably be there after dinner some time. I'll spend a few days with Mom so you can focus on training, but I'll be at your last games of the season.
I assume it was Miyuki-kun who you were on the line to? He must be feeling pretty good after the draft.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 16th October – Time: 21:57
Message: Re:Final Game
I'm really looking forward to seeing you. And maybe you'll get to critique my performance – you and Miyuki both.
Yes, it was him; he gets quite chatty when he's happy so he had a lot to say. I don't mind listening, and I'm really pleased for him. Between you and me I'm a little jealous too maybe.
No words of congratulations from you, Masa? He's coming to watch the final game too, he said, so you can give them to him yourself, if I get you seats next to each other…
From: Harada Masatoshi
To: Takigawa Chris Yuu
Date: 16th October – Time: 22:22
Message: Re:Final Game
Smartass Takigawa rides again…
Miyuki-kun is an exceptionally talented player, and he doesn't need me to tell him that. He only has eyes for one catcher anyway – no one else is worth the notice. I'm sure as long as his much-admired Chris-senpai was suitably pleased for him he's happy enough, no congratulations from anyone else needed.
Seriously though, I'm not coming to tell you how to do your job, just cheer you on from the stands.
From: Takigawa Chris Yuu
To: Harada Masatoshi
Date: 16th October – Time: 23:01
Message: Re:Final Game
I can always improve though – and what better way that stealing skills from the two pro catchers watching?
Also seriously, of course I don't expect you to come with your game day head on, you can sit back and relax, no need to think too much.
I'm glad you're mostly going to be in Tokyo until the new year, having you around more is going to make up for the last few months. Dad wants to take you out to dinner too and talk shop. He misses his ball playing days more than he realises, I think. One day, after our hopefully long and successful careers, we'll probably feel the same…